ATLANTA — Inside Atlanta First United Methodist Church, the messages mean more than just lip service for Reverend Jasmine Rose Smothers. She's led the historic house of worship, founded in 1847, for eight years and served as an associate for three years before that.
"We serve the unhoused and the under-housed," Smothers said. "Love God with your heart, your mind, your soul and your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Our neighbors can't wait anymore. We have folks who sleep on the front steps of the church -- who sleep behind the steps. We've had some tragic situations here where people have died; they've frozen to death."
Smothers, who grew up in Southwest Atlanta, is putting the service behind scripture with a new project called the 360 Peachtree Community Campus. It will sit on nearly two acres in Downtown Atlanta where the church sits. The City of Atlanta recently greenlit the permitting process for 360 Peachtree.
The campus will be constructed in two phases, which will include 300 units of affordable housing, retail space and two schools for around $180 million. One of the schools will be dedicated to teaching children who are unhoused. The apartments will have some market-rate units and three levels of affordability, which will be based on the area's median income.
"This is my home, and all I want to do is make my home better," Smother said. "We are committed to making a generational impact in this city."
Smothers said this started as an idea five years ago. The pandemic put a pause on the plan, but she said the project gained new life when Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was elected and set forth a goal to build or make use of 20,000 affordable housing units during his time in office. Invest Atlanta, House ATL, the Mayor's Office and Midtown Assistance Center are all helping take this dream and transform it into reality.
While the church has weathered wear and tear over the years, and congregants have had to sacrifice and raise money for the project, Smothers said they are committed to building a beloved community.
"It gives you a sense of persistence that won't let you give up because you know you're not doing what you're doing for you," Smothers said. "If we're not serving in community and with community, then we're not doing our job. The church exists to transform communities."